The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is maturing into a key market and investment destination for Hong Kong firms, as well as a source of commodities and capital. Bangkok, capital of Thailand, lies in the heart of this fast-growing region.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is taking its Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK) signature promotion event to Bangkok next week.
Innovation hub
The event will showcase Hong Kong as a resilient innovation hub where businesses from around the world can seize opportunities. TBTHK will run on 13 and 14 July at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, where the Hong Kong and Thai business communities will explore partnership opportunities through exhibition, seminars and networking activities.
Mr Ronald Ho, Regional Director, South East Asia and South Asia of the HKTDC, said at the press luncheon: “ASEAN has a long history of close economic ties with Hong Kong and is the city’s second-largest trading partner in merchandise trade. The TBTHK in Bangkok will highlight Hong Kong’s offerings in ASEAN, as well as provide additional impetus for promoting regional trade and investment partnerships and creating opportunities through regional economic and supply chain integration.
“Our main goal is to promote Hong Kong’s strengths in merchandises and services and introduce the city’s latest developments, demonstrating to the Thai business community that Hong Kong is the premier international business hub in Asia, as well as an investment and business platform for Thai enterprises to maximise China opportunities. Simultaneously, we will showcase how the Thai, Mainland China and Hong Kong business communities can collaborate to create mutually beneficial business opportunities and maintain long-standing close business and trade ties.
“These opportunities are made possible by strong, visionary planning by governments, as well as free trade agreements such as FTAs and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), that provide a framework for regional cooperation,” Mr Ho added.
Heart of Asia
Hong Kong is at the geographic heart of Asia and serves as an international financial centre with distinct advantages such as providing trusted legal, financial, investment and tax systems, producing high quality, innovative and creative products and services for trade, and serving as the pre-eminent access point to explore and develop business links and markets with Mainland China, ASEAN and beyond.
The city is a bridge between the mainland and the world. Its role as a two-way platform for the flow of capital, goods, information and people is as important as ever. Development plans such as the Belt and Road Initiative and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Development Plan create prospects, expanding Hong Kong’s role as a hub for finance, trade, logistics and cultural exchange. Hong Kong is the ideal partner for Thai companies seeking to tap the vast opportunities from the GBA and international markets.
This year, this signature promotion event will be a holistic platform where the Thai trade community can learn about Hong Kong’s role as an ideal gateway for them to tap into mainland and international markets. Building on the strong trade ties between Hong Kong and Thailand, a Trade Expo showcasing high-quality and innovative products from more than 100 Hong Kong exhibitors, including Chow Tai Fook, Green Common, B.Duck, Vita Green, Memorigin, Smart City consortium and more. This would help Hong Kong companies introduce high-quality products to the regional market, while Thai companies may identify potential business partners and supply chains for business collaborations.
Products on display
During today’s press luncheon, a wide range of Hong Kong’s innovative and creative quality products ranging from fashion & lifestyle, home & gifts, sustainable & green sectors were showcased to Thai media as a trade expo preview.
In addition to the Trade Expo, TBTHK will feature a Trade Talks series solidifying Hong Kong’s competitive advantage as a trading hub. Experts from renowned retail groups, associations and innovative companies will gather at the Trade Talks to shed light on a plethora of hot topics, such as Innovating the Future of Retail, Maximising Business Opportunities through Licensing, Re-shaping E-commerce and Embracing Sustainability & ESG.
A giveaway session on the second day of the event (14 July) will offer prizes including smart phones, Tourbillion, tablets and more. Participants may have a chance to win air tickets during the event period. In addition, there will be a captivating photo booth featuring Hong Kong’s iconic buildings set in the venue with a TBTHK branded Tuk Tuk, providing an immersive experience and promoting Hong Kong’s authentic culture and iconic scenery to Thai community.
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